Recast Church of Mattawan, Michigan

All of our children's ministry workers must agree to and sign this policy before volunteering.

Children’s Ministries Policies and Procedures

The Purpose of the Safe Haven Policy is:

• To provide a safe environment for our children.
• To protect our teachers, workers, and the church from false accusations.
• To implement a policy that does both of the above while still allowing volunteer positions to be filled.

All Children’s Ministry workers must have professed Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

All Children’s Ministry workers must consent to, complete, and pass a background check before being permitted to volunteer.

All Children’s Ministry workers must complete an Application for Children’s Ministries form, be interviewed, and approved by the Pastor and/or the Children’s Ministry director.

Adults who have committed or have been convicted of child abuse, whether physical or sexual, shall not volunteer service in any church sponsored activity or program for children or youth.

No Children’s ministry worker shall ever be alone with a child or youth. Alone is defined as a non-public place that purposefully avoids people.

Parental consent is required to transport a child or youth.

Workers shall immediately report any behavior which seems abusive or inappropriate to their supervisor or pastor.

Teen workers must be at least 13 years of age, must be approved by the Children’s Ministries director, and must always have an unrelated responsible adult present when they are volunteering.

All workers in nursery through three years old shall not be from the same family. If a husband and wife or a parent and child work together, there shall be at least one other volunteer working with them.

Teenage boys will not be permitted to work in the nursery or toddler areas.

Only adult women shall change diapers and help toddlers in the restroom. When taking children to the restroom, the door shall be partially open.

When it becomes necessary to discipline a child, corporal punishment shall never be used. Corporal punishment is defined as “the deliberate infliction of physical pain by hitting, paddling, spanking, slapping, or any other physical force as a means of discipline.” Humiliation shall not be used as a form of discipline.

A Children’s Ministry worker is allowed to use minimal physical restraint to protect themselves and/or other students.

If a Children’s Ministry worker finds themselves in a situation contrary to the policy or in any circumstance that could cause an allegation, the worker shall complete an incident report detailing the circumstances for a clear written record of the event or issue.

All Children’s Ministry workers will undergo a background check before they assume ministry responsibilities.